Anyone find using heat pads/hot water bottles makes their flow heavier?

[OnNaturesCourse]

I've noticed for the past few cycles that on the nights I use heat to beat my period cramps my flow increases a lot for a few hours after.

Trying to test this out this cycle by using heat on alternative nights and so far it's proving my theory.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes absolutely

And hot baths

In school I remember learning that heat is a biological catalyst (speeds up a reaction without altering itself). I’ve held onto this one learnt fact for nearly thirty years but just googled it to be told it isn’t actually! Anyhow, it does seem to speed up my flow yes.

Yes, my Google searches are telling me heat has no effect but my own findings are proving that it does.

I had heat on my tummy for hours yesterday late evening (more for a comfort than anything) and my flow was pretty unbelievable for hours after, heaviest its been. This morning it seems to have slowed down to normal again.

I wonder if it'll have a effect on my period length too?

Presumably it will. There’s only so much blood in there. I tend to find heavier = shorter.

When you cut your finger, say, you run it under cold water, not hot, heat is a vasodilator.
Never used heat pads or hot water bottles for period pain, I swear by swimming, I swear it shortened my period and alleviated the pain.

like having a hot bath while in labour, not too hot obviously - speeds it up
as i believe a hot bath is dangerous?

I'm now wondering why on earth heat pads as seen as period pain tools now 😂

I guess handy to know if I'm trying to speed things along!